Mattingly gets a shot: After eight seasons in George Steinbrenner's collection of beloved former Yankees, Don Mattingly agreed to become the team's hitting coach.

Now, he's just a few strikeouts away from the wrath of the Boss.

"I'm not naive to the fact that if this ballclub is not swinging the bat after a month, I'm going to be on the hot seat. That's just the way it is here," Mattingly said Tuesday after he was given a hero's introduction at Yankee Stadium.

Mattingly follows Chris Chambliss, Gary Dembo and Rick Down, all deposed as hitting czar since the Yankees last won the World Series in 2000.

At the news conference, GM Brian Cashman said shortstop Derek Jeter played the AL Championship Series and the World Series with a ruptured tendon in his left thumb. Cashman said the team would wait to determine if the tendon, injured in the opener of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, would heal with about three weeks of rest. If it doesn't, it would require surgery.

Cashman also said the Yankees are declining David Wells' $6 million option but have not decided whether they want the 40-year-old left-hander back.

Team doctor charged: Red Sox team doctor William Morgan was arrested on drunken driving charges after police said his car was swerving on a highway and they found a nearly empty glass of wine in the front seat. He failed four field sobriety tests when arrested Sunday night, state police said.

Morgan was released on personal recognizance Sunday night and arraigned Monday on charges of driving under the influence and drinking alcohol from an open container in a car.

Also Tuesday, the team said former Phillies manager Terry Francona will interview for its manager job Wednesday, joining Glenn Hoffman and Bud Black as candidates for the position.

Convention a sellout: The Cubs announced that the 2004 Cubs Convention scheduled Jan. 16-18 is sold out. Weekend passes were gone in three hours.

Tickets for SoxFest 2004, set for Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Hyatt Regency, are available through TicketMaster outlets or at 866-SOX-GAME. New manager Ozzie Guillen is scheduled to attend.